Thursday, 7 January 2010

Goa to banish bikini babes from ads

Fighting against the slur of turning into a sex-tourism destination, the Goa tourism department has decided to censor all advertisements.

"Goa is a family holiday destination and not sex tourism destination. We will make sure that bikini babes do not symbolise Goa tourism in future," state tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco said.

He said the tourism department will ask all empanelled advertisement agencies to desist from using scantily-clad women in their campaigns.

"The department has already stopped such ads but I will make sure that henceforth all advertisements are scrutinised by the department before being sent for printing," Pacheco said.

The tourism minister expressed concern over the recent incidents of rape in the state which, he said, had given a bad name to Goa, one of the most favoured tourist destinations for both Indian and foreign tourists.

Pacheco said that he will also ask all tour operators, including private players, to follow the guidelines on advertisements to help improve the state`s image.

Stating that foreigners sunbathing on the beaches in bikini should not be misconstrued as promoting sex tourism, he said, "Can you ask someone to be fully dressed and take a bath? Naturally, they will venture into the sea in bikini and later soak in the sun."